Long scroll showing coloured paintings of many birds with titles in script on paper. 290 x 30 cm. Wooden end rollers.
Patterned silk end, with binding cord. Undated, estimated to be mid to late 19th century or earlier. Can be viewed in central London by appointment or sent worldwide.
An iron, Ko-Tosho (early sword smith's) tsuba. The slightest taper from seppa dai towards rim. Pierced decoration. Purchased from Andy Quirt (ex Skip Holbrook collection) at the February 2016 Tampa show, he thought it depicted gourds. I guess the beholder might see different things. I see Japanese eggplants on leafy vine (two fruit and two leaves) supported by a bamboo trellis. An uncommon and well executed, balanced decoration. The hitsu-ana appears to be original to the tsuba. Late Muromachi...
A silvered and beautifully engraved brass Hookah / Huqqa base. Indian, Moghal period, 18th century. Height "5¼/ 13 cm, diameter"5¾/ 14,7 cm. Condition: wear to the silver and loss of soldering around the foot rim (cf. pics).
An armorer's iron tsuba, possibly for a wakizashi as it is somewhat diminuitive in size. Or perhaps more in keeping with its apparent age, an early example of a proportionately small tsuba used with an uchigatana as was first the fashion. Sukashi decoration of a conch (horagai) traditionally used for ritual practices and for signaling on the battlefield...
A katchushi (or armorer's) tsuba, probably Myochin, with pierced decoration of ship's rudders (the significance being a comparison of rudders steering a ship to values guiding a Samurai's life choices.) The strong, homogenous, dense iron plate with only light tekkotsu and smooth to the touch. Dark patina. Momoyama to early Edo. Good condition: Lamination folds with openings evident on the surface of one side. Ex Skip Holbrook collection. 3 3/32" x 3 1/16" x 1/8" (7.8 cm x 7.7 cm x .32 cm)
Large NGONTANG helmet mask (all seeing mask) from the Fang people in Gabon, very well used and worn and in great condition - pre 1920 and definitely rare.
Size: 41 cm - 2 kg
Known as Ngontang (or Ngontanga), this mask variety appeared among the Fang people of southern
Cameroon and Gabon shortly before 1920. It represents a spirit of the dead visiting as a young white woman
from the world beyond...
A rare Chinese blackwood day bed low table. This table was designed to be placed in the canopy bed for reading and eating.
Date: Middle Qing. Size: L 63 cm,W.43 cm, H.27 cm.
Condition: Very good. No repairs
Chinese 19th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Pillow, Ca. mid to late 1800's, 9 3/4" wide-front, 6" deep, 6 3/8" high-front lower part, with overglaze enamel decorated of double Peacocks on the mosey rocks draped by Plum tree branches and flowers in the front lower part. Couple Swans with giant Lotus flowers and Pods in the backside of the higher part, and bottom is not decorated, shows orange peel surface...
Chinese bowl, to one side Famille rose decoration of Peony in Famille rose colours (the flowers in gilt) in the “boneless” style of Yongzheng and to the other a buddhist emblem. Probably late 19th century, the base with an iron red seal mark, difficult to decipher. Diameter "4/ 10,5 cm, height "2/ 5 cm. Condition: a 1 mm glaze flake to the rim, otherwise fine.
A saucer bowl, meticulously painted with a seascape and pavilions, the border with diaper, cod roe and peony motifs. The rim brown-glazed, Qianlong, late 18th century. Diameter "6/ 15,5 cm. Condition: fine.
Saucer bowl with under-glaze blue decoration of a bird on a flowering twig, silky chocolate-coloured glaze to the outside. Yongzheng or early Qianlong period, first part of the 18th century. Diameter "5¼/ 13 cm. Condition: glaze bubble and a hairline (cf. pics).
An armorer's tsuba, with very slightly raised rim on the strong, flat iron plate. Pierced decoration of a shrimp with pleasing, subtle swell along the antennae and legs (mostly on the ura.) Small, irregular brass inlays for the eyes (missing from one eye - not conspicuous.) The kogai-ana plugged with a copper rich alloy. Oval form about 2 7/8" (7.3 cm) by 2 3/4" (6.985 cm). Thickness at rim about 5/32" (.39 cm). Late 16th century to early 17th century - perhaps Momoyama period...
A fine Chinese Rose Medallion ladle with a mother and her child seated together. The handle is subtly gilded with the standard famille rose palette. This example dates to c. 1820 and is in excellent condition. These small but wonderful items are hard to find, and such a treat when discovered.
Dimension: 5" l
Relics of the Nile is pleased to present this superb blue-green faience Bes amulet dating to the Late Period, 700-30 B.C.. The amulet remains intact and with tremendous detail standing with bowed legs, beard and a highly-detailed headdress. The dwarf deity remains intact with unclogged suspension hole and measures an impressive 2 1/4 inches high. Bes was the God of children, games and laughter...
An unusual octagonal Chinese lacquer stacked box set painted with black ground and elaborate gold designs featuring prominently the warring dragons and pearl motif on the lid, also repeated stylistically on the sides. Cabriole legs support a sunken base which supports 2 trays and a lid. Overall condition is quite good but as you will see in one of the photos, there is paint loss on the legs to varying degrees, the one shown being the most egregious example. The interior of the box is crimson...
Chinese export porcelain mug, with handle, on foot rim, painted in the famille rose palette. In excellent condition with discoloration especially around handle, indicative of an old repair. One central reserve with 2 men, otherwise surrounded by blue and white flowers and polychrome bouquet; rimmed with blue on white panels. Underside tagged with identification from at least 40 years ago. Dates to middle of 18th C. Very fine specimen.
Height: 5"
Chinese hexagonal sancai glaze tripod censer decorated with duck motive. 12,7 cm high. The ears of the censer has been repaired.
Chinese 19th-20th century ginger jar wit cover. Good conditions. 14,5 cm high.